Taking the Kids -- Happy Halloween -- all month long!
Got everyone's costume ready?
Sure Halloween is weeks away but celebrations are going full steam across the country.
No longer a one-day affair, Halloween has morphed into one of the year's biggest holidays, with families taking off to experience haunted houses, spooky festivals and gruesome gourmet delights. Hopefully, no one will need to amass those pillow cases full of candy with so much to see and do.
"There has been amazing growth. ... Absolutely all of the Halloween festivities drive people to Orlando in fall," said George Aguel, the president and CEO of VisitOrlando.
Still, there are plenty of bargain hotel deals to be had in Orlando and elsewhere. Remember, it is often easy to snare a good hotel deal in cities on the weekends when business people have left town. You might also be able to get a good deal on a rental with Homeaway.com, for example, in resort communities celebrating Halloween. If the kids are old enough, perhaps opt for a stay in a Haunted inn.
How about a haunted ship? The historic Queen Mary, a luxury cruise ship already popular for its stateroom overnights, rumored to be haunted, runs ship tours, a "Ghosts & Legends" tour and other paranormal-themed events all year. Nothing compares, however, to the annual "Dark Harbor: Fear Lives Here." Special nights take place through November 2, 2018.
Plan a weekend getaway to Central Pennsylvania where every October weekend you can join the Annual Ghosts & Goblins tour at Lincoln Caverns for a fun-filled Halloween adventure for the whole family. With over 30 years of haunted tour experience and expertise behind it, this experience is Pennsylvania's ultimate spooky experience that features 90 minutes of fun and terror in the caves and through the woods.
Perhaps a séance? Through Nov. 4, the San Francisco Dungeon will offer guided séances that give visitors a glimpse of the spirits lurking beneath San Francisco's historic Fisherman's Wharf. Think creepy décor and an all-knowing crystal ball -- all included with general admission. (You can find plenty more ideas in our Fabulous Fall Getaways section, put together with our friends at Family Travel Forum.)
Most zoos and aquariums now have Halloween events. For example, the so-called "world's largest Halloween party" takes place at the Louisville Zoological Gardens until October 28. This popular toddler-safe fundraiser provides support for the zoo's animal care programs, botanical garden, visitor experiences and conservation education.
Jack-o-Lantern Blaze is a beloved ritual for New York Metro area residents, because 7,000 hand-carved pumpkins are lit up and clustered by theme (look out for the owls) around the grounds of Van Cortlandt Manor. A fun fundraiser for Historic Hudson Valley, the fun runs until Nov. 24.
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